How to Disguise an Ugly Fireplace

In most cases, ugly fireplaces that are in good condition can be disguised without an expensive remodel.

A fireplace should be the focal point of a room and is a selling feature in many homes. But outdated brick or a bad paint choice can make you wish you could hide your fireplace instead of draw attention to it. The good news is you can disguise ugly fireplaces using a variety of methods. Paint, wood, tile and metal can be used to disguise the ugly with an attractive facade.

Paint

If the brick surrounding your fireplace is dated or the mantel has been previously painted with a color you can’t live another day with, the easiest way to disguise this is with a fresh coat of paint in a color that works with the rest of the room. If the fireplace has been previously painted, the old paint should be stripped first with a chemical stripper. Clean the brick thoroughly with a stiff brush and a degreaser to remove grease, dust and soot and to ensure good adhesion of the paint. Apply primer first and allow it to dry overnight, and then follow with at least two coats of semigloss paint. Brick is a rough, porous surface, so semigloss finishes are typically easier to clean than flat finishes.

Wood

Premade or custom wood mantelpieces are commercially available or can be made by homeowners to fit over your existing fireplace. Mantelpieces can effectively disguise ugly brick or tile or transform a plain facade to give the room a classic and warm feeling. Wood mantelpieces come in a range of woods, including inexpensive paint-grade fiberboard, or more costly stainable woods like oak, cherry, and mahogany, and can be painted or stained to suit the room’s decor. They also provide versatility in terms of design, with traditional and modern designs that range from simplistic to ornate. Before installing a wood mantelpiece, check your local fire and building codes. According to This Old House, the National Fire Protection Association says there must be at least 6 inches between the sides and top of the firebox opening and any wood projecting up to 1 1/2 inches from the face of your fireplace. Wood that projects father than this, such as the mantel shelf, must be at least 12 inches from the firebox opening.

Tile

Natural stone tiles, such as slate and marble, are ideal for disguising ugly fireplaces and usually can be installed right over the existing brick. Tile is available in a variety of stone, colors, patterns and finishes, and it suits classic and contemporary or modern decors. If you’re tiling the fireplace yourself, determine the best layout for the tiles before you begin to minimize cuts and to avoid mistakes. Work from the bottom of the fireplace to the top to prevent tiles from sliding down the face of the brick.

Metal Surrounds

Surrounds made of metal disguise ugly fireplaces and transform them into a modern or antique point of interest in your home. Metal surrounds fit over the existing fireplace surround and may be precast in cast iron, copper, cast bronze or rolled steel. Precast surrounds are available from fireplace manufacturers as well as dealers, but you can also use sheet metal that is bent to fit around your old fireplace so that you can design a surround yourself.